Care Relation Trying to Clarify the Use of the Concept/Vardrelation: Ett Forsok Att Tydliggora Begreppsanvandningen (Nursing Science/Sykepleievitenskap/Omvardnadsforskning‪)‬

ABSTRACT Care relation is an essential concept in nursing and caring science, although, the use of it is not clear and distinct. Sometimes the care relation is defined in positive terms as being the foundation of caring and the core of good health care. At other times it is claimed that this essentially positive relation leads to un-caring and make patients suffer from care. At yet other times and in other contexts the concept is used in a neutral way, simply characterising a certain relation between a patient and a professional carer. It is important to emphasize the significance of the care relation to professional carer, as well as to medical care organizer. To be able to do that it is necessary that the care relation concept is clear and distinct. The following definition of the concept is proposed: a care relation is a relation between a human being in capacity of patient and a human being in capacity of professional carer, in some kind of professional care organization. The concept can then be combined with relevant attributes, such as good or bad care relation, caring or un-caring care relation, or it can remain neutral.